Japanese grammar

What does ～以来 mean? Japanese grammar N2

～以来 means ever since…; and it's still the same to this day.

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N2
Structure	N + 以来 Vて + 以来
Romaji	irai
Meaning	ever since…; and it's still the same to this day

Forming it

Noun	卒業 → 卒業以来
Verb	生まれて → 子どもが生まれて以来

How to use it

States a point in the past, and that state CONTINUES to the present. Not used for something that just happened.

「以来」 = ever since…: 「卒業以来、彼女には会っていない」.
Only connects to a NOUN or the て form — does not connect to an adjective (the catalog entry 「い形＋以来」 is incorrect).
The point in time must be sufficiently DISTANT (usually several months or more), and the second clause describes a continuing state. For something that just happened, use 「～てから」.

Examples

大学(だいがく)を卒業(そつぎょう)して以来(いらい)、彼女(かのじょ)には一(いち)度(ど)も会(あ)っていない。
I have not seen her once since graduating from university.
子(こ)どもが生(う)まれて以来(いらい)、自分(じぶん)の時間(じかん)がほとんどない。
Since my child was born, I have hardly any time to myself.

Keep in mind

Attaches to a noun or the て form.
The point must be far enough back; the second clause continues to the present.

Common mistakes

Wrong昨日(きのう)会(あ)って以来(いらい)、連絡(れんらく)がない。

There's been no contact since we met yesterday.

Correct昨日(きのう)会(あ)ってから、連絡(れんらく)がない。

For a point too recent, use 「てから」; 「以来」 needs a meaningful span of time.
Wrong忙(いそが)しい以来(いらい)、運動(うんどう)していない。

Since I got busy, I haven't been exercising.

Correct忙(いそが)しくなって以来(いらい)、運動(うんどう)していない。

「以来」 does not connect to an adjective; it must be changed to the verb form 「なって」.

Exam tips

「以来」 = ever since…; connects to a noun or the て form, and the point must be far enough back.

Related patterns

All N2 grammar →